49ers vs. Saints NFL Week 11: TV Schedule, Betting Lines, Prediction

By Connor Muldowney

TV Schedule: Sunday, Nov. 17, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Weather: High 81, Low 64

Line: New Orleans (-3)

The New Orleans Saints are coming off a huge win against the Dallas Cowboys at home on Sunday night in which Drew Brees and this high-powered offense put up 49 points and won by a whopping 32 points. Brees is having yet another solid season and could break more of his records in 2013 as he has passed for 3,064 yards and 25 touchdowns while connecting with tight end Jimmy Graham more than anyone else. Graham has been the top tight end in the NFL this season, catching 54 passes for 805 yards and an unheard of 10 touchdowns through nine games. Pierre Thomas leads the rushing attack with 364 yards and a touchdown on just 3.8 yards per carry.

The San Francisco 49ers struggled mightily against the tough Carolina Panthers defense in week 10 and many people are quick to put the blame on quarterback Colin Kaepernick who has been a bit of a disappointment this season. The second-year starter has passed for 1,675 yards and nine touchdowns while leading the last-ranked passing offense. Outside of Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin, no one else has contributed in the receiving game. While the passing attack has been disappointing, the rushing attack ranks fourth in the NFL behind Kaepernick and Frank Gore. Kaepernick is second on the team with 310 yards and three scores while Gore leads all rushers with 700 yards and seven touchdowns.

Defensively, the 49ers are usually one of the best units in the league and 2013 is no different. San Francisco ranks sixth in total yards allowed while giving up the fourth-least amount of points in football this season. New Orleans ranks fifth in points allowed while ranking seventh in total yards allowed. Don’t expect Kaepernick to break out of his passing slump as the Saints rank third in the league in passing yards allowed — much-improved under Rob Ryan.